What if an industrial wasteland could transform into a vibrant urban oasis? That’s precisely the story of Wasserstadt Limmer in Hannover. This ambitious project is breathing new life into a 23-hectare brownfield site. It was once occupied by the Continental AG’s rubber processing plant.
Wasserstadt Limmer is situated on a peninsula. It lies between the Stichkanal Hannover-Linden and the Verbindungskanal zur Leine. The area has a rich industrial past. In 1899, the Hannoversche Gummikamm AG began production here. It later became the Hannoversche Gummiwerke Excelsior in 1912.
The factory primarily produced technical rubber goods and tires. The plant boomed. In 1922, it employed up to 6,000 people. By 1939, the workforce still numbered 4,100. Continental AG took over the operation in 1928.
During World War II, the site held a barracks camp. It housed forced laborers. There were ten residential barracks for 1,220 people. From June 1944, it also contained the Hannover-Limmer subcamp. This was an external camp of the Neuengamme concentration camp. It held up to 1,000 female prisoners. They came from Ravensbrück and, later in the war, from Hannover-Langenhagen. After the war, Continental AG continued production at the Werk Limmer until its closure in 1999.
After the plant’s closure, plans emerged to repurpose the land for housing. In 2002, the industrial wasteland was designated as a construction zone. A competition was held to develop the area. In 2003, the decision was made to build residential, commercial, and office buildings. The fate of the historic factory buildings was initially uncertain.
The abandoned factory complex became a magnet. It attracted young people, photographers, and graffiti artists. The newer, non-listed buildings were demolished first. In 2009, parts of the complex were even blown up. Contaminated soil was removed. Then, a two-to-four-meter thick layer of sand was applied.
The site remediation was completed in 2017. The listed water tower was preserved. It is a central element and landmark of the Wasserstadt. The tower is about 100 years old and 50 meters high. It was renovated in 2016 for one million euros.
The city initially anticipated a 15-year development period. The plan was to create 600 residential units in stages. There would also be limited space for small businesses or mixed-use developments. Special attention was to be paid to the design of the waterfront areas. These areas were to be accessible to the public.
By December 2011, the plans had become more concrete. The Wasserstadt was to be developed in sections from east to west. In 2013, a project development GmbH was founded. It is a joint venture between Volksbank and Günter Papenburg AG.
The construction project covers approximately 230,000 square meters. It will be completed in several phases. The first development plan was scheduled for 2012. Construction was expected to begin in 2013. The listed factory buildings in the southwest were originally to be preserved. They would have served as noise protection against the western freight bypass railway.
However, in 2017, investor Günter Papenburg advocated for demolition. He cited the buildings’ uninhabitability due to toxic residues. Authorities approved the demolition in 2023.
The initial plans for the first construction phase included 2,000 residential units. These would be spread across approximately 80,000 square meters. The district council rejected the development plan. They cited a lack of public participation and excessive density.
In 2014, the city administration presented a new concept. It featured up to 2,200 residential units for 5,000 residents. Buildings would range from four to eight stories. This proposal faced opposition from politicians and citizens. After a renewed public participation process, goals were adjusted. Discussions in 2015 centered on between 1,000 and 1,800 residential units.
In August 2016, the council’s construction and environment committee approved the construction of fewer than 2,000 apartments. These would house significantly more than 3,000 people. Twenty percent of the first construction phase near the village center of Limmer was designated for social housing. Preparatory work began on the site in December 2017. A concrete mixing plant was built. According to original plans, construction of the first phase’s 500 apartments would last from 2018 to 2019.
Construction finally began in 2019. The first phase was largely completed in 2023. Most of the apartments in this area were occupied. The remaining part of the construction area for the other phases remains undeveloped. Today, Wasserstadt Limmer is a testament to urban renewal. It blends residential, commercial, and recreational spaces. It offers a high quality of life. It is a vibrant new district in Hannover.